Family-friendly hotels in Essex

Stansted

Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport

★ 4.3 (5,385)

A 357-room hotel in Stansted Mountfitchet, within walking distance of the airport terminal and close to rail links for onward travel.

Chelmsford

The Lion Inn

★ 4.6 (2,929)

A traditional inn on Main Road in Chelmsford, close to Hylands House, with free parking and a garden for relaxing.

Southend-on-Sea

Roslin Beach Hotel

★ 4.6 (2,720)

A 62-room seafront hotel in Southend-on-Sea, well suited to family breaks, weddings and weekend seaside stays alike.

Stansted

Premier Inn London Stansted Airport

★ 4.1 (5,171)

Premier Inn London Stansted Airport offers on-site dining and a bar just 1.5 miles from the terminal, with 303 soundproof rooms.

Grays

Orsett Hall Hotel

★ 4.3 (2,936)

A 56-room hotel on Prince Charles Avenue in Grays, Essex, with its own spa, gym and gardens plus a busy wedding and events trade.

Stansted

Novotel London Stansted Airport

★ 4.1 (3,300)

A 250-room hotel on Round Coppice Road in Stanstead, close to golf, pubs and restaurants, with easy airport transfers and on-site parking.

Brentwood

Holiday Inn Brentwood M25 Jct 28

★ 4.3 (2,261)

Handy motorway-junction hotel in Brentwood, Essex, suited to drivers, business stopovers and families who want a pool and gym on site.

Southend-on-Sea

Camelia Hotel

★ 4.7 (1,171)

Seafront hotel on Southend's Eastern Esplanade with a bar, restaurant and breakfast, handy for the Pier and Adventure Island.

Harwich

Alma Inn and Dining Rooms

★ 4.6 (1,344)

A historic inn on Kings Head Street in Harwich, Essex, pairing comfortable rooms with a dining room built around local produce.

Stanford-le-Hope

The Bell Inn

★ 4.6 (1,332)

A 26-room coaching inn on the High Road in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, with a restaurant, bar and garden and free on-site parking.

Essex

ibis London Thurrock M25

★ 4.2 (2,324)

A 168-room budget hotel on Weston Avenue in Grays, right by the M25, with free on-site parking and family rooms.

Southend-on-Sea

Holiday Inn Southend

★ 4.3 (1,744)

Southend-on-Sea's seafront and Adventure Island are a short trip from this 129-room Holiday Inn, a modern base near Eastwoodbury Crescent.

Clacton-on-Sea

Haven The Orchards Holiday Park Essex

★ 4.0 (2,749)

Self-catering holiday park near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, with indoor and outdoor pools, beach access and fishing lakes on site.

Ongar

Mulberry House

★ 4.6 (959)

Hotel on Chelmsford Road in High Ongar, Essex, handy for Tilbury Fort and Epping Forest with free on-site parking.

Harwich

The Bottle Kiln Wetherspoon

★ 4.2 (1,823)

A Wetherspoon pub-hotel in Harwich's Dovercourt with a full bar and restaurant menu, plus quiet, spacious rooms and king-size beds.

Clacton-on-Sea

Smugglers Cove by Marstons Inns

★ 4.2 (1,750)

A straightforward 38-room hotel near the beach in Clacton-on-Sea, well suited to family breaks and short seaside stays.

Colchester

GreyFriars

★ 4.5 (1,051)

A High Street hotel in central Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, mixing historic character with modern comforts and free parking.

Waltham Abbey

Delta Hotels Waltham Abbey by Marriott

★ 4.1 (1,981)

A 162-room hotel near Waltham Abbey with restaurant, bar and breakfast on site, handy for Epping Forest and the Lee Valley.

Colchester

The Courthouse Inn

★ 4.6 (808)

A former courthouse turned hotel on Harwich Road, Colchester, with free on-site parking and a bar and restaurant on site.

Colchester

Milsoms

★ 4.3 (1,289)

A relaxed riverside hotel on Stratford Road in Dedham, Essex, set in the gentle countryside of Constable Country.

Colchester

Donkey & Buskins

★ 4.5 (882)

An adults-only B&B on Layer Rd, Colchester, suited to couples wanting a straightforward stay with parking, a bar and breakfast included.

Manningtree

Mistley Thorn Hotel

★ 4.6 (748)

A 15-room hotel on Mistley's High Street in Essex, close to the River Stour, with en-suite rooms and a restaurant on site.

Colchester

Premier Inn Colchester A12

★ 4.3 (1,168)

A no-fuss Premier Inn just off the A12 outside Colchester, handy for drivers heading to the town centre or the Essex coast, with free parking and Wi-Fi.

Southend-on-Sea

Premier Inn Southend On Sea Eastern Esplanade

★ 4.2 (1,280)

Seafront Premier Inn on Southend's Eastern Esplanade, with an on-site restaurant, bar and sea-view rooms near Adventure Island.

Colchester

Black Buoy Inn

★ 4.5 (791)

A characterful inn on Black Buoy Hill in Colchester, with its own bar and restaurant and a garden for outdoor seating.

Canvey Island

Oyster Fleet Hotel

★ 4.2 (1,268)

Oyster Fleet Hotel on Canvey Island offers 40 rooms plus an indoor pool, spa and sauna, all with free on-site parking.

Ingatestone

The White Hart Bed And Breakfast

★ 4.4 (904)

A two-room B&B on Swan Lane in Ingatestone, Essex, with its own bar and restaurant close to Ingatestone Hall.

Colchester

Premier Inn Colchester Cowdray Avenue A133

★ 4.3 (1,056)

A compact 20-room Premier Inn on Cowdray Avenue in Colchester, with free parking front, side and rear and Colchester Castle nearby.

Colchester

Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre Castle

★ 4.3 (1,056)

Set in Colchester's town centre, this 85-room Premier Inn puts Colchester Castle, Castle Park and the High Street shops within easy walking distance.

Brentwood

De Rougemont Manor Hotel & Suites

★ 4.3 (1,025)

A country-house-style hotel on Great Warley Street, Brentwood, with 81 rooms, a spa and gardens close to the town's shops and countryside.

Brentwood

Marygreen Manor Hotel

★ 4.3 (1,025)

A Tudor-style manor hotel on London Road in Brentwood, Essex, with 44 rooms and a dedicated bridal suite for weddings.

Colchester

The Blue Anchor

★ 4.5 (748)

Small five-room hotel in Colchester, close to Kelvedon and Haverhill Golf Club, with free on-site parking and a garden bar.

Chelmsford

Pontlands Park Hotel

★ 4.5 (743)

A country house hotel near Chelmsford with landscaped grounds, a spa, an outdoor pool and hot tub, close to Chelmsford Cathedral and Hylands Park.

Basildon

Holiday Inn Basildon

★ 4.0 (1,693)

A 149-room hotel in Basildon, Essex, with restaurant, bar and garden, handy for local transport links and nearby attractions.

Billericay

B&B Downham Hall

★ 4.7 (543)

B&B Downham Hall is a family-run stop on Castledon Road, Wickford, with garden views and free on-site parking.

Clacton-on-Sea

The Kingscliff Hotel

★ 4.1 (1,327)

A 30-room hotel on Kings Parade in Clacton-on-Sea, with en-suite and family rooms just a short stroll from the seafront.

Burnham-on-Crouch

The Oyster Smack

★ 4.5 (646)

Riverside inn in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, with a bar and restaurant close to the water and surrounding coastal countryside.

Clacton-on-Sea

Premier Inn Clacton-On-Sea Seafront

★ 4.2 (1,009)

A 66-room Premier Inn on Marine Parade West, Clacton-on-Sea, with sea-view rooms right by the pier and seafront attractions.

Purfleet

Premier Inn Thurrock West

★ 4.0 (1,425)

Premier Inn Thurrock West offers 193 en-suite rooms with air conditioning near Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex.

Southend-on-Sea

Premier Inn Southend Airport

★ 4.2 (995)

Premier Inn Southend Airport offers 106 en-suite rooms with air conditioning, two miles from London Southend Airport, with free on-site parking.

Wickford

The Lodge Country Inn

★ 4.2 (987)

Countryside hotel near Battlesbridge, Essex, with pubs, restaurants and entertainment nearby and free on-site parking.

Chelmsford

The Riverside Inn

★ 4.3 (834)

A small, characterful four-room inn on Victoria Road in Chelmsford, prized for its quirky decor and riverside beer garden.

Colchester

The George of Colchester

★ 4.1 (1,151)

A 47-room hotel on Colchester's High Street, close to the castle and Roman Theatre, with free on-site parking.

Colchester

The Victory At Mersea

★ 4.0 (1,368)

Waterside hotel on Coast Road in Colchester with its own restaurant and bar, plus free on-site parking and free WiFi.

Dunmow

The Stables at The Starr Inn

★ 4.2 (965)

Eight rooms at The Stables at The Starr Inn combine historic character with modern extras like air conditioning, in the heart of Dunmow, Essex.

Harlow

Holiday Inn Express Harlow

★ 4.1 (1,081)

Holiday Inn Express Harlow is a 123-room hotel off Crown Gate, handy for the M11 with air-conditioned rooms and meeting space.

Grays

Stifford Hall Hotel Thurrock

★ 4.1 (1,081)

A restaurant-and-bar hotel on Thurrock's High Road, with breakfast, room service and a garden for guests wanting Essex convenience near London.

Colchester

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

★ 4.2 (900)

A timber-framed hotel on East Street in Colchester, close to Castle Park and Colchester Zoo, with free on-site parking.

Dunmow

Travelodge Stansted Great Dunmow

★ 4.1 (1,056)

Budget hotel just off the A120 near Great Dunmow, handy for Stansted Airport, Braintree and Bishop's Stortford with easy road links throughout.

Colchester

Holiday Inn Colchester

★ 4.0 (1,255)

A modern 110-room hotel on Abbotts Lane in Colchester, with a pool, gym and spa alongside easy access to the town centre.

Saffron Walden

The Cricketers Arms

★ 4.4 (654)

A traditional inn overlooking Rickling Green in Stansted Mountfitchet, with a bar, restaurant and free on-site parking.

Harwich

Premier Inn Harwich

★ 4.1 (1,048)

A modern three-storey Premier Inn on Parkestone Road, Harwich, with 45 en-suite rooms and free parking close to the ferry terminal.

Saffron Walden

The Cross Keys

★ 4.0 (1,231)

A historic coaching inn on Saffron Walden's High Street, with just 10 rooms, a bar and restaurant close to the town's own pubs and eateries.

Bishop's Stortford

The Cock Inn Hotel

★ 4.6 (478)

A traditional inn-style hotel on The Street in Sheering, Essex, offering en-suite rooms and free parking near Harlow and Bishop's Stortford.

Chelmsford

Premier Inn Chelmsford Boreham

★ 4.2 (836)

Premier Inn Chelmsford Boreham offers 80 en-suite rooms with air conditioning near the A12, plus free parking and free WiFi.

Barking

ibis budget London Barking

★ 3.7 (2,072)

Budget hotel on Highbridge Road in Barking, with pubs, restaurants and entertainment nearby and easy transport links into London.

Barking

ibis London Barking

★ 3.7 (2,072)

A budget-friendly base in Barking for travellers who want simple, no-fuss rooms with easy transport links across London.

Waltham Abbey

Premier Inn Waltham Abbey

★ 4.2 (826)

A straightforward budget hotel off the M25 near Waltham Abbey Church, suited to road-trippers and Lee Valley Park visitors wanting free parking.

Chelmsford

Premier Inn Chelmsford City Centre

★ 4.1 (967)

Premier Inn Chelmsford City Centre offers a hearty breakfast and on-site restaurant, steps from the cathedral and High Chelmer shops.

Chelmsford

The County Hotel

★ 4.1 (963)

A 50-room hotel on Rainsford Road in Chelmsford, with free on-site parking and generously sized rooms close to the town centre.